Tel explains Tottenham U-turn after joining the club he rejected

Mathys Tel has spoken publicly for the first time since joining Tottenham on transfer deadline day, revealing that discussions with chairman Daniel Levy and manager Ange Postecoglou were key in persuading him to join.

The 19-year-old joined North London from Bayern Munich, where he had made only eight league appearances this season after being shelved by boss Vincent Kompany.


Tel made an abrupt U-turn on deadline day, opting to join Spurs initially on loan with the potential of being bought permanently for about £50 million, having previously turned down the club in favour of a move to either Manchester United or Arsenal.

However, as interest from United and Arsenal diminished over the weekend, Tel decided to join Tottenham.

“I’m very excited to play with my team-mates, for the fans,” Tel stated in an interview with the club’s media agency. “That’s a new challenge for me; a new chapter to begin. “I am very excited about it.”Why did I choose Tottenham? Because it was the best option for me and what was most important to me. I sensed the commitment, so I spoke with the president (Chairman Daniel Levy) and the management. I am young. I’ve started to mature, and this was the finest option for me, so I’m quite pleased.”

Tel, one of three January first-team additions, is under pressure to make an immediate impact as struggling Spurs attempt to salvage what appears to be a disastrous season.

A record of two wins in 12 Premier League games has left them 14th in the rankings, but there were signs of improvement in Sunday’s 2-0 win against Brentford, and they have also qualified for the Europa League final 16.

They take a 1-0 aggregate advantage to Anfield on Thursday for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final with Liverpool, where Tel might make his debut.

“I think I am a physical player, fast, and technical,” stated the former Rennes player, who moved for Germany at the age of 17 in 2022. He made his senior debut a year earlier, at 16, becoming the club’s youngest ever player, surpassing Real Madrid and France defender Eduardo Camavinga.
“I play every moment, every game from the heart. This is the pressure I live with. I constantly have to push myself to get up and look ahead.”

He revealed his under-21 international teammate Wilson Odobert helped encourage him to move.

“I talked with Wilson, he told me you have to come here,” he informed me. “He’s my friend; I played with him on the French team, and we’re excellent friends. He advised me to come; it’s a terrific team, and you’ll see. “It is very nice.”Football is a dream of mine; I want to play for the best team in the world. I’m prepared for every game. That is why I am there. I know what I need to accomplish for Tottenham, the club, and the supporters, and I hope to do it.”

 

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